About Tommy Lopez

Mississippi State has disassociated itself from a booster who made impermissible contact with a prospective student-athlete, according to a letter from Michael Glazier, who is serving as the school’s outside counsel during an NCAA investigation into the recruiting tactics of former football assistant coach Angelo Mirando.

The letter, obtained by the Journal via a Freedom of Information Act request, is dated July 13 and is addressed to the booster in question, whose identity is blacked out. According to the letter, the booster is a member of the Bulldog Club, MSU’s fundraising arm for athletics.

From the letter: “The (NCAA) investigation has revealed that as a representative of Mississippi State’s athletic interests (Bulldog Club member), you engaged in impermissible contact with the prospective student-athlete and that other violations of NCAA rules also may have occurred.”

It goes on to say that MSU “will not associate with individuals who do not share the University’s commitment” to adhere to NCAA rules and regulations. A list of what the booster is not allowed to do followed:

Participate in any organization recognized by by the University as a supporter of the University’s athletic programs;

Assist the University in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;

Make a financial or gift in kind contribution for the support of the University’s athletics programs;

Receive any privilege associated with Mississippi State athletics that is not available to the general public.

MSU said last week that it has been working with the NCAA for several months on what the school called a “potential recruiting irregularlity,” and ESPN has reported that it involves Mirando. There have also been reports that MSU freshman defensive back Will Redmond is being looked at by the NCAA. MSU also said last week that the NCAA’s “examination” was nearing its end.

The booster’s season tickets and a donation were both refunded by MSU, according to the correspondence. The letter says the booster, as of July 13, had not responded to requests to be interviewed by the NCAA.